ABOUT THE ENSEMBLE

The Russian Carnival Ensemble was formed in
1998 by a famous duo: Tamara Volskaya and Anatoly Trofimov.
The ensemble brings a new dimension to the use of traditional
Russian folk instruments presenting music of different styles
through the prism of natural sound of unique instruments.
The group includes artists originally from Ukraine and Russia whose
combined musical experience demonstrates mastery both of their
instruments and the music they present.
The group, which can consist of two to six performers
(including singers), is available to perform for festivals and
other venues all over the country. The ensemble provides
"the Russian flavor" for events large or small whether as the
centerpiece of a gala performance or as background music.

Soon after the "Russian Carnival" Ensemble was established,
the group became a prominent feature of New York City's musical scene and of
Brooklyn community life. The ensemble has performed at Trinity and Saint-Peter's
Churches, Merkin Hall, and the 92nd street "Y" in New York City. In 2000,
they were featured at the Hillwood Museum in Washington D.C. and at a ceremony
hosted by Her Majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdullah of Jordan in New York. Highlights of 2001 were performances for the prestigious Madison
Council of the Library of Congress, various festivals, and being featured nationwide
on the CBS prime time special "Christmas Around the World." In 2002, the ensemble
participated in the "Russian Winter Fest" in Brooklyn, performed for the Russian
Ambassador to America, and was featured at the Slavic Festivals at Montclair and
Kean Universities, Washington D.C. and in Manhattan. The ensemble presented two programs
"A Musical Journey around the World" and "From Baroque to Folk" at the Fortunoff Hall
of Dawling College. Highlight of 2004 was the "Russian Carnival" Ensemble performance at
Avery Fisher Hall as part of the "Russian Splendor" program. February 2006 was marked with a tremendously successful performance of the ensemble at the Weill Recital Hall of Carnegie Concert Hall. The ensemble's most recent achievement was a concert-lecture at the British Museum of Yale University.

The ensemble recorded two programs. In 2003 they produced a new
CD consisting of the highlights of ensemble's repertoire.

Soloists of the ensemble Tamara Volskaya(domra)
and her husband Anatoly Trofimov(bayan) make up one of
the most electrifying duos to be found in the world.
Irina Zagornova is widely recognized as one of the brightest
artists in the field of village folk singing.

Musicians of the "Russian Carnival" possess
equally exceptional skill in playing the instruments of the
mandolin ensemble as well. Their magical conversion from domras
and balalaikas to mandolin, mandola and guitars brought to life
the mandolin group "Rondo" in 1999. "Rondo" mandolin ensemble
comprises of Tamara Volskaya (mandolin), Mayya Kalikhman
(mandolin and mandola), Nataliya Vsevolodskaya (guitar),
Leonid Bruk (bass-guitar) and Anatoly Trofimov(bayan).
As a result of the ensemble’s immense efforts, two new programs,
"Musical Journey to Russia and Italy" and "From Baroque to Folk"
were born. These concerts illustrated a deep connection between
the two instruments from the lute family - mandolin and domra.

In 2007-2008 "The Russian Carnival" participated in numerous festivals, had broadcasted performance at famous Trinity Church in Downtown Manhattan and recently performed at the Russian Mission of United Nations in New York City. The ensemble announced 2008-2009 as a celebration of the 10th anniversary of the group! They are going to mark the jubilee with a program consisting of the highlights of their repertoire. The program also will include new arrangements of popular Russian, Jewish, Ukrainian, and American tunes as well as classical music.

ABOUT THE MEMBERS

The group consists of extraordinary
professional musicians who contribute to the growing interest
in Russian folk music and instruments in America.

Tamara Volskaya and her husband, bayanist Anatoly Trofimov are "Honored Artists of Russia",
winners of international and national competitions, and professors
of the Mussorgsky Ural State Conservatory. They have toured throughout
Russia, Europe, Canada, Australia, Japan, and the United States and
recorded numerous remarkable CDs.

Mayya Kalikhman -- a true multi-instrumentalist is
equally skilled in playing the second-domra, alto-domra, and some
percussion instruments in the ensemble.

Nataliya Vsevolodskaya combines professional
and deeply sensitive performance on the guitar with inspiring
playing on alto-balalaika as well as on percussion instruments.

Leonid Bruk has brought a lively
musicality to the bass section of the ensemble and performs on the
balalaika-contrabass with phenomenal artistry.